photoprinter or minilab

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CNN_news - 29 Mar 2006 08:18 GMT

I am starting a business that needs to print 5 x 7 and 3.5 x 5 color
prints from a digital camera. This is not a business selling photo
processing. These prints are used for a item tracking systems I am
developing.

Initially I will be printing about 750 prints per week but that can
increase to 6000 per week as I grow the business.

What type of photo printer will I need?

I am new to photography and the only product I see is the Kodak line of
printers (ML-500 etc)

I have also heard of a 'minilab'?

I need nice quality prints (comparable to photo labs) but I also need
low cost?

Thanks,
NK

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Ken Hart - 29 Mar 2006 19:06 GMT

>I am starting a business that needs to print 5 x 7 and 3.5 x 5 color
> prints from a digital camera. This is not a business selling photo
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks,
> NK

A "minilab" is a self-contained machine that makes prints from a negative
using the RA-4 (or other manufacturer's) process. Newer ones can make prints
from digital files. The cost per print with a minilab will be in the area of
ten cents (USD) per print, depending on a lot of variables: chemicals,
paper, cost of electicity, cost of water. The cost to purchase a new modern
minilab that can print from digital files will be around $150K to 250K USD.
Older minlabs that can print from negatvies only (optical type) can be
bought used for $1000 or less-- I bought one for the cost of hauling it away
(it weighed about 3/4 ton).

A typical minilab can be seen in your local WalMart, drugstore, or one-hour
photo place.

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Ken Hart
kwhart@aec.nu

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CNN_news - 30 Mar 2006 19:05 GMT

I had no idea you could print digital photos this cheap. Amazing.

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babelfish - 31 Mar 2006 02:33 GMT

What's cheap after you spend $100k or more? My Agfa minilab cost me nearly
150k used, then the company went out of business. Now parts and service are
scarce and the value is next to nothing. I can still make cheap prints, but
factoring in the overhead makes the ultimate cost staggering. Technology
changes too fast now to justify any large purchases.

>I had no idea you could print digital photos this cheap. Amazing.

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Greg - 31 Mar 2006 03:31 GMT

> What's cheap after you spend $100k or more? My Agfa minilab cost me nearly
> 150k used, then the company went out of business. Now parts and service are
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> >I had no idea you could print digital photos this cheap. Amazing.

I agree for the most part although I have never regretted the money I
spent on my processing equipt, of course mine is a much smaller amount.

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Greg - 30 Mar 2006 13:38 GMT

> I am starting a business that needs to print 5 x 7 and 3.5 x 5 color
> prints from a digital camera. This is not a business selling photo
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks,
> NK

If you buy mini lab equipment for that level of volume
you"ll need factor some added costs like someone able to service and
possibly run the machine.

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The things we hate most in life often turn out to be a mirror image
of ourselves. But if your going to hate someone Matt Clara says its
ok to hate him.

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Jim - 12 Apr 2006 02:27 GMT

> I am starting a business that needs to print 5 x 7 and 3.5 x 5 color
> prints from a digital camera. This is not a business selling photo
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> Thanks,
> NK

Printer. You will never justify the cost of the a minilab, its
maintenance, or supplies for this few prints. In the beginning, use an
inkjet. Later, write them to a CD and use a commercial printer.

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Jim <jen....not....home..remvdots...@....yahoo

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